May 27, 2025 -- Philippians 4:20 -- Parking on the glory of God

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To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.  Philippians 4:20 ESV
 
I wonder, as he composed this, with prison guards right beside him, if they were startled by an audible outburst of Paul’s praise to God; or if they were used to it by now. It is common for Paul to break out into words of praise.  Paul’s circumstances (two quick examples, his being in prison and knowing others are preaching Christ in rivalry to him) can not keep Paul from reviewing things from a heavenly perspective.
 
God is in charge. He Who started a good work in Paul will bring it to completion (1:6). Opponents of God will be destroyed while the faithful, who suffer now already now have salvation and suffering for Christ confirms their faith in Him (1:28,29). This is the benefit of memorizing Philippians. When you read a portion, you can recall earlier sections of the letter, or later passages, where a theme is expanded. As you read you realize the glorious work of God among His people.
 
God is our Father. What a precious concept that is. God is not just out there, somewhere in the cosmos. He is better than any earthly father ever could be. He is wiser, more gracious. He is our Father Who unites in Christ and leads us into greater intimacy with Himself through the Holy Spirit.
 
When Paul ascribes glory to the Father, he is expressing the fact that the weight of knowing God changes everything in his life. God the Father is so magnificent, so beyond comprehension, and yet so tender in revealing Himself to His people, that Paul’s whole life is oriented to Him. The Father is the sun in the solar system of Paul’s life. The gravity of His glory orients everything to orbit around Him. Paul can not help but contemplate God. Worship God. Bless God. His circumstances, harsh as they are, fade to insignificance in view of the weight of God’s majesty.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150 ESV
https://youtu.be/o-ImfnUqWxg?si=vxhLaD7OvXUIO_DN All Praise to Him
 

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